Fonya

Fonya Naomi Mondell | Director & Producer

Fonya was born into the film business as the only child of award-winning documentary filmmakers. She grew up on their sets and often took her afternoon naps on editing room floors. Her earliest inclination in the business was to pursue acting and did so by the age of 9 starring on a local ABC TV series, "Shopping Smart."

Fonya moved to Los Angeles in 1997 to follow her acting dreams; after only three days in the City of Angels she began her career in production as an assistant on a Burt Reynolds feature film. Fonya worked on numerous film productions eventually moving into assistant directing which lead her to producing. Her ability to network enabled her to work across the nation from California, to New York, Florida and eventually Texas.

In 2004 Fonya’s fluency in Spanish landed her a job as a producer for nine months on a novela for Telemundo. The next year, Fonya wore a bulletproof vest and helmet to work as the producer for Dallas Swat, on A&E. After working closely with the Dallas Police department and A&E for a year and half, Fox Broadcasting company hired her to Produce and Direct “behind the scenes” for Prison Break - seasons 2, 3 &4. As well as for their short-lived comedy series, The Good Guys, starring Collin Hanks.

Fonya began working with the M3 Films family in 2008 as a producer on the Bob Schneider live music DVD and as the director on the Equest PSA.

Fonya has a deep passion for her community at large and for project which help the community such as Equest and Children’s Med Dallas.

She’s served as Chairman of the Board for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas and is deeply involved with Temple Emanu-El.

Fonya is now completing the circle as she spends many quality hours with her son Juan, even if it means he too has to take a nap on the editing room floor.